Self-Service

Shield T3 pulls COVID test vending machines from universities

Image by Shield T3 and Adobe Stock.

December 18, 2023

Shield T3, a company that provided COVID test kit vending machines at universities, has decided to discontinue its operations at university campuses across the country, according to a notice from American University.

Shield T3 was developed at the University of Illinois.

Plans to discontinue operations were first announced in October on the University of Illinois' website.

With the end of the pandemic health emergency earlier this year and decline in the volume of COVID-19 tests being processed, its business was ending, Tim Killeen, university president, said in the announcement.

At its peak, Shield T3 employed 172 full-time staff members and contractors and processed more than 5 million tests.

The notice at American University said that as of today, Dec. 18, the machines, which have provided more than 125,000 tests free of charge since Fall 2022, will be removed.

American University will continue to provide free COVID tests during business hours at three locations Monday-Friday:

• Student Health Center, McCabe Hall: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Washington College of Law – Information Desk, Warren Building: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
• WAMU Reception Desk, 4401 Connecticut Avenue: 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

The notice was sent via email from Sarah Baldarassaro, chief of staff and interim president for inclusive excellence and Raymon Ou, vice president of student affairs.